CN113993425B

CN113993425B - Temperature sensor fitting

Info

Publication number: CN113993425B
Application number: CN202080043382.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: E·修; R·L·琼斯; W·普雷斯顿; C·普萨罗洛格斯
Original assignee: Breville Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Breville Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-27
Filing date: 2020-06-26
Publication date: 2024-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2040-06-26
Also published as: EP3989782A4; CN113993425A; EP3989782A1; AU2020301811A1; US20220326089A1; WO2020257868A1; EP3989782B1

Abstract

A temperature sensor assembly for use with a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of ingredients inside a heating container of a kitchen appliance, the temperature sensor assembly comprising: a collar including an internally threaded portion; a PTFE insulator comprising an externally threaded portion corresponding to the internally threaded portion of the collar, and further comprising an internally threaded portion; a metal cap including an externally threaded portion corresponding to the internally threaded portion of the PTFE insulator; wherein the PTFE insulator provides thermal isolation between the temperature sensor and the heating plate of the kitchen appliance; and wherein the collar comprises an outer surface corresponding to an edge of a floor of a heating vessel of a kitchen appliance, and the outer surface is adapted to be welded to the edge of the floor to form a welded seal.

Description

Temperature sensor fitting

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a temperature sensor fitting and, in particular, to a temperature sensor fitting for use with a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of ingredients inside a heating container of a kitchen appliance.

Background

Temperature sensors are used in kitchen devices for monitoring the temperature during the cooking process.

The current arrangement of temperature sensors may not provide sufficiently accurate temperature readings to provide accurate control of the cooking process.

Furthermore, current arrangements of temperature sensors may not provide sufficient liquid isolation when cleaning kitchen devices, resulting in damage to the temperature sensors.

For example, kitchen devices (or machines) that agitate, process, mix and/or heat ingredients in a variety of ways have become very popular in the consumer and commercial markets. For example, one such kitchen device may be a multi-function cooker. The popularity of multi-function cookware is due in part to its ability to cook many different types of meals with minimal interaction with the user using a variety of different cooking processes. For this purpose, known kitchen devices can measure the temperature of a heated billet for cooking the food.

However, in order to enable the kitchen device to accurately control the cooking process, it may not be possible to accurately temperature monitor some cooking processes within the kitchen device. This may lead to a reduced quality of the meal made from the kitchen device after the cooking process.

Currently, kitchen devices on the market use one or more temperature sensors that measure the temperature of the heating element, and this measured temperature is assumed to be the temperature at which ingredients are being cooked, which may affect the actual cooking process in terms of both power delivery and cooking time.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior arrangements.

An arrangement is disclosed which seeks to address the above problems by providing an improved temperature sensor fitting. The temperature sensor fitting has one or more of a weld seal for attachment to the heating vessel, a PTFE seal for isolating the temperature sensor, and a silicone seal for isolating the temperature sensor.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a temperature sensor fitment for use with a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of ingredients inside a heating vessel of a kitchen appliance, the temperature sensor fitment comprising: a collar including an internally threaded portion; a PTFE insulator comprising an externally threaded portion corresponding to the internally threaded portion of the collar, and further comprising an internally threaded portion; a metal cap including an externally threaded portion corresponding to the internally threaded portion of the PTFE insulator; wherein the PTFE insulator provides thermal isolation between the temperature sensor and the heating plate of the kitchen appliance; and wherein the collar comprises an outer surface corresponding to an edge of a floor of a heating vessel of a kitchen appliance, and the outer surface is adapted to be welded to the edge of the floor to form a welded seal.

The temperature sensor fitting may have an outer silicone seal comprising an annular cavity, wherein the annular cavity is arranged to encapsulate the collar, the PTFE insulator and the metal cap.

The temperature sensor fitting may have an O-ring that encapsulates the PTFE insulator arrangement and is further arranged between the PTFE insulator and the collar.

The temperature sensor fitting may have a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is arranged in thermal contact with the metal cap.

The temperature sensor fitting may have a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is a glass NTC bead and the glass NTC bead is potted directly onto the metal cap.

The temperature sensor fitting may have a metal cap with an inner surface against which the temperature sensor is in thermal contact; and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, wherein the outer surface of the metal cap is arranged in contact with the ingredients.

The temperature sensor fitting may have a metal cap made of stainless steel.

The temperature sensor fitting may have an outer surface of the collar adapted for laser welding to the edge of the base plate.

The temperature sensor fitting may have a collar made of stainless steel.

The temperature sensor fitting may have a locking collar arranged to prevent unscrewing of the metal cap.

The temperature sensor fitting may have a locking collar arranged to encapsulate the collar, the PTFE insulator and the metal cap.

The temperature sensor fitting may have two or more of the collar, the PTFE insulator, and the internally or externally threaded portion of the metal cap formed as tapered locking threads.

The temperature sensor fitting may have one or more additional sealants between two or more of the collar, the PTFE insulator, and the threaded portion of the metal cap.

A kitchen appliance is disclosed having a temperature sensor fitting according to any of the above arrangements, wherein the collar of the temperature sensor fitting is laser welded to the edge of the floor of the heating vessel of the kitchen appliance.

Other aspects are also disclosed.

Drawings

At least one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and the appendices, in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates an exploded view of a temperature sensor assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B illustrates an assembled cross-sectional view of a temperature sensor fitting according to the present disclosure;

fig. 2 illustrates an example of a temperature sensor fitment for use in a heating vessel of a kitchen appliance according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a graph of measured temperature versus time in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of a temperature sensor assembly according to the present disclosure;

Fig. 5 illustrates a kitchen device in which a temperature sensor fitting may be fitted according to the present disclosure;

fig. 6 illustrates another example of an assembled cross-sectional view of a temperature sensor fitting according to the present disclosure.

Detailed description including best mode

Where reference is made to any one or more of the figures having like numbered steps and/or features, those steps and/or features have the same function or operation for the purposes of this description unless presented to the contrary.

Fig. 1A shows an exploded view of a temperature sensor fitting 101 with a temperature sensor 103, which temperature sensor 103 detects the temperature of ingredients inside a cooking vessel of a kitchen appliance. Fig. 1B shows an assembled cross section of the temperature sensor fitting 101.

In this embodiment, the temperature sensor assembly 101 may be used in a kitchen appliance that is a multi-function cookware food processing device. However, it should be appreciated that the temperature sensor assembly 101 may be used in other suitable kitchen devices (such as, for example, kettles) where it is desired to measure the temperature of an item, for example.

In this embodiment, temperature sensor fitting 101 has an outer secondary seal 105, a threaded temperature sensor cap 107, an O-ring 109, a threaded insulator 111, and a collar 113.

In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 103 is an NTC temperature sensor having two connection lines (connection line 115) and a temperature sensing surface 117. The temperature sensing surface is placed in a position inside the cooking vessel such that the temperature sensing surface 117 is in contact with ingredients heated by the kitchen appliance.

It should be understood that other forms of temperature sensors may be used as alternatives. For example, the temperature sensor may be a glass NTC bead.

The outer auxiliary seal 105 is made of flexible silicon and has a central cavity 119 allowing the connection wire 115 to pass through and connect to the control circuitry of the kitchen appliance. In this embodiment, the central cavity 119 is a circular central cavity 119 positioned in a central location on the outer secondary seal 105. The central cavity 119 may be of any other suitable shape and positioned in any other suitable location. The outer secondary seal 105 also has a flexible outer wall forming an annular cavity, wherein the walls are arranged to flexibly encapsulate the threaded temperature sensor cap 107, the O-ring 109, the threaded insulator 111 and the collar 113, as shown in fig. 1B.

In this embodiment, the threaded temperature sensor cap 107 is made of stainless steel. Other suitable thermally conductive materials may be used as alternatives, such as other suitable metals.

The inner surface (133 of fig. 1B) of the threaded temperature sensor cap 107 is in thermal contact with the temperature sensing surface 117 of the temperature sensor 103 (as shown in fig. 1B). That is, the threaded temperature sensor cap 107 has an inner central cavity 121 that aligns with the central cavity 119 of the outer secondary seal 105. The inner central cavity 121 allows the temperature sensing surface 117 of the temperature sensor 103 to pass through the inner central cavity 121 and enables the temperature sensing surface 117 to be in thermal contact with the inner surface of the threaded temperature sensor cap 107.

The upper circular flange of the threaded temperature sensor cap 107 is located inside the outer secondary seal 105.

The lower extension of the threaded temperature sensor cap 107 has an externally threaded portion 123.

The O-ring 109 is arranged to surround the externally threaded portion 123 of the threaded temperature sensor cap 107, and an upper surface of the O-ring 109 is arranged to abut a lower surface of the upper circular flange of the threaded temperature sensor cap 107.

In this embodiment, the threaded insulator 111 is made of PTFE. Any other suitable insulating material may be used as an alternative.

The threaded insulator 111 has an externally threaded portion 125 and an internally threaded portion 127. The internally threaded portion 127 of the threaded insulator 111 corresponds to the externally threaded portion 123 of the threaded temperature sensor cap 107 such that the externally threaded portion 123 of the threaded temperature sensor cap 107 can be screwed into the internally threaded portion 127 of the threaded insulator 111.

Collar 113 has an internally threaded portion 129 formed in the central cavity of collar 113. The internally threaded portion 129 of collar 113 corresponds to the externally threaded portion 125 of threaded insulator 111 such that the externally threaded portion 125 of threaded insulator 111 can be threaded into the internally threaded portion 129 of collar 113.

The upper portion of collar 113 has a circular wall forming a lower sealing surface 131A and a side sealing surface 131B for sealing O-ring 109 (as shown in fig. 1B).

The lower surface of O-ring 109 is disposed adjacent to lower sealing surface 131A and the side surface of O-ring 109 is disposed adjacent to side sealing surface 131B of collar 113.

As shown in fig. 1B, collar 113 has an outer surface 135 formed to correspond to the edge of container floor 201 of a heating plate of a kitchen appliance, wherein the heating plate is formed from a heating blank 203 (shown in fig. 2) that is thermally coupled to container floor 201 and heating element 205.

In this embodiment, the outer surface 135 is an L-shaped step corresponding to the L-shaped step of the bottom plate 201 of the heating plate, as shown in fig. 2.

The outer surface 135 of collar 113 is adapted to be welded to a corresponding edge of container floor 201. For example, the outer surface 135 may be laser welded or welded to the edge of the container floor 201 by any other suitable welding process. Laser welding provides an airtight pressure seal.

Referring to fig. 1B, it can be seen that the threaded insulator 111 provides thermal isolation between the temperature sensor 103 and the location indicated by the area 137 where the heating plate of the kitchen appliance is located. That is, when the temperature sensor fitting 101 is used in a kitchen appliance, the threaded insulator 111 provides a heat seal between the temperature sensor 103 and the heating plate. Moreover, threaded insulator 111 reacts to thermal expansion and contraction of threaded temperature sensor cap 107 and collar 113 while maintaining a seal.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a temperature sensor fitting 101 for use in a cooking vessel 207 of a kitchen apparatus 501.

Also shown in fig. 2 is a region 209 in which another sealant (such as a silicon adhesive sealant) may be used with reduced sealing properties of the solder seal formed at the outer surface 135.

FIG. 3 shows a graph of measured temperature versus time for various temperature sensor accessories. The figure shows the actual cooking surface (i.e. the container floor 201) and the temperature of the water (ingredients) inside the container as it is being heated by the heating plate. The graph shows the temperature measured by the temperature sensor fitting of the prior known system compared to the actual temperature of the water. In the prior known systems, temperature readings are taken from the underside of the cooking surface. The graph also shows the temperature as measured by the temperature sensor (NTC 2) of the temperature sensor assembly of an embodiment of the present invention. The NTC1 is the temperature taken from the heating element of the kitchen appliance.

It can be seen that the NTC2 temperature reading is closer to the actual temperature of the ingredients than in the prior known systems and cooking surface temperatures, thereby providing an improved temperature sensing system.

Fig. 4 shows another example of a temperature sensor fitting, wherein a locking collar 401 is used to encapsulate collar 113, threaded insulator 111, and threaded temperature sensor cap 107. In addition, the locking collar 401 prevents unscrewing of the threaded temperature sensor cap 107.

Fig. 5 shows an example of a kitchen device in which a temperature sensor fitting 101 can be fitted.

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of a temperature sensor fitting 6101. In this embodiment, a seal 6109 is disposed adjacent the lower surface of the PTFE insulator 6111. A seal 6109 is also arranged between the metal cap 6107 and the collar 6113.

Further, in this embodiment, a PTFE thermal insulator 601 is disposed adjacent to the lower surface of the seal 6109. The PTFE thermal insulator 601 is also disposed between the PTFE insulator 6111 and the collar 6113. Optionally, additional sealant, such as Locktite TM, may be added to the threads on the metal cap 6107, PTFE insulator 6111, and collar 6113 to apply further pressure to the seal 6109.

While the silicon seal 6105 shown in fig. 6 does not have an annular cavity as described in the silicon seal 105 shown in fig. 1B, it should be appreciated that this may be an option. That is, alternatively, the silicon seal may have a flexible outer wall forming an annular cavity, wherein the walls are arranged to flexibly encapsulate the threaded temperature sensor cap 6107, the seal 6109, the threaded insulator 6111 and the collar 6113.

According to this embodiment, the clamping plate 6115 is arranged to clamp onto the silicon seal 6105 to push the silicon seal against the threaded temperature sensor cap 6107 and collar 6113, resulting in the tips of the threaded temperature sensor cap 6107 and collar 6113 being pressed into the silicon seal 6105. It should also be appreciated that alternatively, a clamping plate may be used in the arrangement shown in fig. 1A and 1B to exert pressure on the silicon seal.

It should also be appreciated that a locking collar is one option for this embodiment. For example, a locking collar similar to locking collar 401 in fig. 4 may be used.

Although the temperature sensor fitting 101 in fig. 1A and 1B and 6 is shown with the temperature sensor 103 installed, it should be understood that the temperature sensor fitting 101 may be assembled separately from the temperature sensor 103 and the temperature sensor 103 may be installed later.

It should be appreciated that the O-ring 109 of the temperature sensor assembly 101 shown in fig. 1A is an optional seal. For example, the threaded insulator 111 may be formed such that it expands into the cavity in which the O-ring 109 is shown in fig. 1B, so that the O-ring 109 is replaced with an extension of the threaded insulator 111. As another example, the cavity shown in fig. 1B in which O-ring 109 is located may be filled with an alternative seal in the form of an adhesive or any other suitable sealant.

Additionally, it should be appreciated that the outer secondary seal 105 is an optional seal. An example of an alternative arrangement is shown in fig. 4. Another alternative is to package the assembly in any other suitable way, such as by internal and external threads of the threaded temperature sensor cap 107, the threaded insulator 111, and the collar 113.

The various arrangements described provide very high heat and liquid sealing efficiencies, as well as more accurate temperature readings of the actual ingredients being heated.

The welded seal provides an improved liquid seal to reduce the risk of water ingress during use and when the cooking vessel is washed in a dishwasher.

The temperature sensor 103 is thermally insulated from both the container floor and the heating plate. The threaded insulator 111 helps to separate the temperature sensor 103 from the heat generated by the container floor and heating plate. Collar 113 weld seals provide a sealing solution for temperature sensor assembly 101. The threaded temperature sensor cap 107 has a surface in direct contact with the ingredients and an opposing surface in direct contact with the temperature sensor 103 to enable the temperature sensor 103 to more accurately measure the ingredients temperature. In addition, O-ring 109 has optional additional sealing functionality. In addition, the outer secondary seal 105 has an optional additional secondary seal for the temperature sensor assembly 101.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The arrangement described is suitable for use in the temperature sensor industry and in particular in the food and ingredient processing industry.

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications and/or changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention, which embodiments are illustrative and not limiting.

In the context of this specification, the word "comprising" means "including mainly but not necessarily solely" or "having" or "including", and not "consisting of … … only". Variations of the word "comprising", such as "comprising" and "comprises", have correspondingly varying meanings.

Claims

1. A temperature sensor assembly for use with a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of ingredients inside a heating container of a kitchen appliance, the temperature sensor assembly comprising:

A collar including an internally threaded portion;

a PTFE insulator comprising an externally threaded portion corresponding to the internally threaded portion of the collar, and further comprising an internally threaded portion;

a metal cap including an externally threaded portion corresponding to the internally threaded portion of the PTFE insulator;

an outer silicone seal comprising an annular cavity, wherein the annular cavity is arranged to encapsulate the collar, the PTFE insulator, and the metal cap;

A seal disposed adjacent the PTFE insulator and further disposed between the metal cap and the collar;

a PTFE thermal insulator adjacent to the seal and further disposed between the PTFE insulator and the collar;

Wherein the PTFE insulator provides thermal isolation between the temperature sensor and the heating plate of the kitchen appliance; and

Wherein the collar comprises an outer surface corresponding to an edge of a floor of a heating vessel of a kitchen appliance, and the outer surface is adapted to be welded to the edge of the floor to form an airtight pressure seal.

2. The temperature sensor fitting of claim 1, further comprising an O-ring encasing the PTFE insulator arrangement and further disposed between the PTFE insulator and the collar.

3. The temperature sensor assembly of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is disposed in thermal contact with the metal cap.

4. The temperature sensor accessory of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is a glass NTC bead and the glass NTC bead is potted directly onto the metal cap.

5. The temperature sensor fitting of claim 1, wherein the metal cap has an inner surface against which the temperature sensor is in thermal contact; and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, wherein the outer surface of the metal cap is arranged in contact with the ingredients.

6. The temperature sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the metal cap is made of stainless steel.

7. The temperature sensor fitting of any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer surface of the collar is adapted for laser welding to the edge of the base plate.

8. The temperature sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the collar is made of stainless steel.

9. The temperature sensor accessory of claim 1, further comprising a locking collar arranged to prevent unscrewing of the metal cap.

10. The temperature sensor fitting of claim 1, further comprising a locking collar arranged to encapsulate the collar, the PTFE insulator, and the metal cap.

11. The temperature sensor fitting of claim 9, wherein the locking collar is arranged to encapsulate the collar, the PTFE insulator, and the metal cap.

12. The temperature sensor fitting of claim 1, wherein two or more of the collar, the PTFE insulator, and the internally or externally threaded portion of the metal cap are tapered locking threads.

13. The temperature sensor fitting of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional sealants between two or more of the collar, the PTFE insulator, and the threaded portion of the metal cap.

14. A kitchen appliance comprising a temperature sensor fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collar of the temperature sensor fitting is laser welded to the edge of the floor of the heating vessel of the kitchen appliance.